The Russellville Democrat., 1887-01-12
FRIGHTFUL DISASTER.
A Steamer Founders on the Coast of
 Little Island No. 4, Virginia.


 NORFOLK, VA, Jan. S.--One of the most disastrous shipwrecks that ever occurred on the Virginia coast hap pened at 2 o'clock this morning near Little Island, life-saying station four teen miles south of Cape Henry. Not less than twenty, and probably more, lives were lost, among them five lifc- saving men who, while in the discharge of their duty, were drowned. The morning was bitterly cold and blind- ing snow-storm prevailed, with the wind blowing gale from the north east. During Hull in the storm the life-saving patrol from Little Island fife-saving station sighted large ship stranded on the bar about 800 yards from the shore. When he saw the yes sel he was going to meet the patrol from Dam-Neck station and exchange checks, showing that both patrolmen had been to the end of their beat. The Dam-Neck patrol was only few yards distant when the vessel was sighted, and both fired rockets to notify the crew of the stranded ship that she had been seen. They hurried back to their stations and gave the alarm, and in a little while both crews, with life-boats and apparatus, were abreast of the wreck. and the boom of mortar aIl- nounced that a line had been shot out to the ill-fated vessel. The shot was unsuccessful, and a second was fired, with like result. After firing six un- successful shots, the life-saving men determined to brave the furious sea and death, which seemed certain to await their venture. The word of command being given by Capt. Belanza, of Life Saving Station No. 4, known as Little Island, six of the most expert boatmen manned each boat, and at his command the men gave way with a will, and in a moment both boats were breasting the furious waves. They reached the ship in safety, and five of the ships crew were taken in one of the life-boats and ten in ships boat, which was launched for the purpose. The boats headed for the shore and not word was spoken, for each man realized the awful peril which surrounded them. With steady pull the boats were making good head way for the shore when wave of great power struck the boats, capsizing them instantly and pitching their twenty-two occupants into the boiling sea. Then began desperate struggle for life, and with many of the men it was a pro longed one. The mortified life-sayers on tho beach were powerless to assist their drowning comrades. or the unfor- tunate strangers. The drowning men were carried southward by the seas, and some of them were washed ashore. As they came within reach they were picked up and endeayors made to revive them, and in two instances with suc- cess, although one of the two is badly injured. The vessel is the German ship Elizabeth, Capt. Halberstadt, from Hamburg, and not one of her crew sur wives her wreck. Her cargo is un- known, as high seas thus far prevented any attempt to reach her, and it is thought she is leaking badly. At sunset her masts were thought to be giving way.
 Of the life-saving crew the following were lost: Atel Belanza, captain of No, 1, known as Little Island; J. w. Lane, same station; George w. Stone, same; J. A. Belanza, of Dam-Neck, and q brother of Abel; Joseph Spratley, of Dam-Neck.
 John Etheredge and Frank Tetford, of No. 4, were washed ashore and re- suscitated, but Etheredge is so badly injured it is thought that he cannot survive.